In humans, an artificial limb can be rehabilitating physically and emotionally. Animals experience similar affects. A three-legged canine given a carbon-fiber limb can trot about with renewed youthfulness, gaining in both physical and mental health. Indeed, the de facto response for many animals fitted with prosthetics is to parade around as though nothing about their bodies is unusual. They are indifferent about the appearance of their new appendages and seem to live free from the social pressures that so often affect humans aided by similar devices.

Prosthetic design

With the synthesis of information from human orthopedics, biophysics, and materials science, veterinarians and engineers have been able to develop effective and technologically advanced animal prosthetics. The loss of limbs in pets and in their wild counterparts can occur as a result of injury or diseases such as cancer. In most instances, three-legged animals are able to get about almost as well as four-legged ones, but the irregular motion and weight distribution involved in making that happen eventually take their toll on the rest of the body, ultimately shortening life spans and reducing the quality of life.

A socket prosthetic, which is slipped over the stump of an amputated limb and secured using straps and braces, can improve mobility and is easily removed and replaced. An integrated prosthetic, in which an anchor such as a titanium alloy screw is implanted into the bone of the amputated limb and is then fitted onto a support of carbon fiber or a composite material, provides long-lasting limb support. This approach requires surgery and relies on bone and skin growth around the implant to help secure it in place.

There are a number of other types of animal prosthetics as well, many of which are in early stages of development. In large-breed dogs, for example, the lifelong condition hip dysplasia may require total hip replacement to restore joint function. Paralleling developments in human medicine, veterinarians have developed titanium prosthetic hips for canines. Although refinement of the devices and of the procedures for their insertion is ongoing, early prototypes have already given many affected dogs a second chance for a healthy, active life.

Rehabilitation of wild animals

Beauty the bald eagle after surgery that gave her an artificial beak---Young Kwak/AP.In recent years, animal prosthetics have gained significant attention for their role in the rehabilitation of wild creatures. Whereas pets enjoy the security of human guardianship, wild animals find safety in the freedom of nature. Their trust in oceans, forests, and other habitats, however, leaves them subject not only to the perils of nature but also to the hazards of human activities. In restoring the health of wild animals, prosthetics are a last resort, and the outlook for survival following attachment of a device often is bleak.

Yet the noble efforts of wildlife rescue workers and veterinarians have been awe-inspiring and in some cases have been wonderfully triumphant. Among the best-known prosthetic prodigies from the wild are Beauty the bald eagle, who lost the upper portion of her beak after it was shot off by a hunter and who was eventually fitted with a nylon-composite replacement; Winter the dolphin, who lost her tail in a crab trap and later received a replacement made of plastic and silicone; and Chhouk the Asian elephant, who lost part of a front leg as a result of becoming caught in a poacher’s snare and was given a prosthetic foot.

Flippers for sea turtles and “feet” for box turtles are other examples of prosthetic marvels in the animal kingdom. A loggerhead turtle named Yu Chan lost portions of two limbs as a result of becoming entangled in a fishing net. Wildlife rescuers at Sea Turtle Association of Japan in Kobe planned to return her to the ocean once her health was restored, but denizens of the city voiced concern over the decision, since the crippled turtle retained only 60 percent of her original swimming power. Now Yu Chan lives in a protected salt-water pond. She is slated to receive a set of specially designed surgically implantable artificial flippers, though contriving a secure tissue anchor and developing an effective procedure for insertion is expected to take several years. Lucky the box turtle has enjoyed a simpler fix. After his legs were devoured by a raccoon, his veterinarian decided to attach sets of furniture sliders to the underside of his shell. The sliders allow Lucky to glide along over various types of surfaces, powered by his hind legs.

Animal prosthetics are a relatively new phenomenon, and their technology is improving at a rapid pace. Behind the scientific and medical wizardry of these artificial contraptions, however, there will forever endure the stories of how beloved pets and wounded creatures in the wild have come to receive their surrogate parts. These stories are anything but ordinary, and they reveal the power of compassion and technology to renew the spirit of ailing animals.

28 Comments

i am glad that there are people like you that would do this sort of thing for animals! you people and scientists have come a long way to insure that these animals are protected and safe! thanks again for all you do

Recently, I had the horrible experience of seeing someone run over a beautiful turtle purposely. I was sick for days over the fact that I couldn’t help the turtle, and that someone would be so disgusting as to hurt an animal purposely. In response, I decided to do all I can for animals, and I am going to go to Veterinary Technician school. People like you are angels to the animals. I think what you do is amazing, and I am really inspired by you and the way you improve and save the animals lives.

I’ve had a dog that needed his left-frontal leg amputated. It happened when he was about three years old. It impacted his life severely. Imagine a young playful dog that is suddenly not able to run around. It changed his personality dramatically, making him irritated and in general not interested in the world. The vet that helped him during the procedure told me that animal prosthetics where not available for dogs. That was 12 years ago. Reading this post gives me joy in knowing that future generations are more likely to not suffer the same fate. Thank you for sharing.

it must be said that my pet dog survives perfectly without his hind leg. Although prosthectics are a great way of improving the quality of life of your beloved animal, just keeping it healthy with plenty of TLC is a good way forward as well.

A friend of mine just rescued a 4 yr. old labrador. Her front left leg appears to have a birth defect, therefore she only uses 3 legs. It looks like the paw is somewhat within the leg. While watching her walk away I notice she has over compensated with her right leg. She twists her right paw inward (towards the body) and centers the leg to hold all her weight in order to “hobble” around. She was greatly miss treated as a puppy mill and has given birth 7 times.
Do you know of any charitable organizations that might be able to give this young girl a leg?

We Human beings have done and are doing a ‘wonderful’ job of wiping out animal species from the face of earth. It’s time that we took responsibility for our actions. Your initiatives here could be an example to the whole world. Keep it up!!

It is so inspiring that you make prostetics for animals. I have wanted this job ever sinse I knew about it because I love animals. I would like to know what degrees you have to have to design and make animal prostetics.

Hello, I came across this video of an animal in need. I don’t personally know the animal or even the full story but I can see that they need help. I don’t really know how to go about this, I am just reaching out to prosthetic companies, showing the video hoping someone will try to get in touch with the organization currently caring for the little guy and offer some sort of care. I realize prosthetics are expensive and I don’t know the financial situation on their end, I was just hoping maybe your company would at least get in touch with them, see if maybe it would be an option.
I’m sorry to waste your time, and you don’t need to respond to me…I’m just passing information.

This article by Kara Rogers is truely inspirational, and so is your video you shared. Your care and concern for our animals (yes, our animals) is so much needed in our world. I say this bcause it is everyone’s reponsibility to love and care for them. They are unable to do for themselves, like childeren, so need to be treated as such. I saw a documentary on PBS about animals that would otherwise been euthanized because of body injuries or defects. It was amazing and impressive to watch the physician make the molds for each of the animals, and see the final results from his special talent. “Thanks again”!

Thank you for all you do There is a wonderful cat at a shelter in Westminster Colorado that needs prosthetics or like a wheelchair Have seen for other animals the cat is a shiny black adult a little overweight because he cant do much exercise so loving it is at a shelter called Almost Home Adoptions a no kill Cat SHelter he can in with two other cats from a family they hope to adopt the together they are very loving also. But I noticed it is very hard for this cat to walk and he seems to cheer up when I go visit so he needs humans and the other tow also. the address is 6010 North SHeridan BLvd Westminster CO 80031 they are open tues 2 -7 pm fri 11:00-5:30 sat an sun 11:00am – 4:30 pm p[lease help the people who work there are very busy and need funding there are a few others that are sick Most of the cats look good today a lot had watery eyes but were in good spirits. THanks so much just look it up and you see the website free parking across from Penny’s and next to Lowes SHopping Center and TOys are US.

Hello,I just read ur acticle ,so wonderful ! I have a pet cat in need of help. He drags his back legs.I took him to the Vet. Was told his bones are not very good,a cease cats sometimes get. Was wondering if u could let me know if there are prosthetics for cats. Wheelchairs socks anything that can be done so he can have a better way to live Thank you. Patrice Gibbs

Yes, prosthetics for cats exist. Please ask your veterinarian for a referral to a specialized orthopedic place for animals. If your veterinarian doesn’t have any suggestions, try calling a veterinary college near you and asking if they know of any places.

There’s a young pitbull in Detroit, MI that needs your help she chewed the bottom of her leg off when a tie out got wrapped around it and her owners didn’t provide help. Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue saved her and now their plan is to remove the whole leg at the hip, she can’t have that done right now because she’s recovering from tetanus. I would love to see the remaining part of her leg saved. Could you please help her? Her name is August.

Hello! My name is Cathy Nunn and I live in South Texas. I have a sweet pekin duck named Gimpy. She was apparently stepped on or trampled as a duckling and her leg is broken at the “knee” joint. No one bothered to take her to a vet, so they surrendered her to a shelter. I adopted her. She hops around pretty well, but because of all the wear and tear on her one good foot, she has developed bumblefoot. She went to see a vet yesterday and they suggested I find someone who can make a 3D printed prosthetic for her. Her foot should be okay after keeping her still for a couple weeks. I have geese who sometimes pick on her because of her disability. I would very much love to help her to have a better quality of life, better able to defend herself. I can send you photos and a video showing what she is capable of doing. In her kiddie pool, she can move her leg from the hip joint down to the knee joint. From there on down, is no movement at all. But she does use that leg as a “rudder” when she is in her pool. I think she could walk again. I just need the expertise of someone who knows what to do. Cost is also a factor, as my husband works only part time now because he broke his back a few months ago. But to raise funds, I could start a GoFundMe page. Gimpy is very sweet natured and lays me an egg for breakfast every day! I hope you could/would help us.